October 04, 2015

Role of marijuana in digestive health and diseases

Marijuana is derived from seeds, flowers, leaves and stem of the plant Cannabis sativa. In its resin form, hashish is the commonest drug of abuse across the world. By the way, this article is merely informational. Do not do anything without talking to physician. Follow all laws!

Is there biological basis for cannabis use in digestive diseases?

Our body has its own indigenous cannabis like chemicals in the nervous system along with binding sites so they may have biological actions. Various biochemical and their binding sites for cannabis/marijuana ingredients are collectively known as the “endocannabinoid system”.

This system is present not just in nervous system but also in our gut as part of the intestine’s own nervous system call enteric nervous system. As such, externally given cannabis or marijuana can affect the gut and potentially have positive benefits.

Although available drugs can effectively reduce vomiting, they frequently do not affect the nausea itself. Cannabis has the advantage of affecting both the nausea and vomiting especially when induced by cancer chemotherapy.

Comparative studies show that medicinal cannabinoids are at least equal or superior to conventional drugs. A meta-analysis done by Dr. Machado Rocha demonstrate that therapeutic cannabis is better than conventional drugs. Not surprisingly, patients preferred cannabis to other medications. However, there is potential for toxicity.

Effect of smoking marijuana on nausea/vomiting has not been well studied. Limited evidence indicates that it is effective. The efficacy of smoked marijuana appears to be equal to or less than medicinal cannabinoids.

Dronabinol is FDA approved for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. However, it should not be used as a first line therapy.

Administration of 115 mg of THC twice a day which is equivalent to smoking marijuana every day heals Crohn’s disease as evident on Crohn’s disease activity index, reduces use of corticosteroid medications and improves sleep and appetite. However the effect is short-lived and not sustained.

On the other hand, limited literature suggests increased risk for surgery among marijuana users.

Role of marijuana inHepatitis C

While smoking marijuana is associated with some progression of disease, it’s use also helps against side-effects induced by hepatitis C therapies. The latter however may not be consequential since the newer hepatitis C treatments are relatively less toxic, there is much less need for strategies to overcome si8de-effects. Given the overall clinical situation, marijuana use should not currently be routinely undertaken in the context of hepatitis C.

Disclaimer: This post is merely for information only and not meant as an endorsement or rejection of such forms of therapies.

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Marijuana is derived from seeds, flowers, leaves and stem of the plant Cannabis sativa. In its resin form, hashish is the commonest drug of abuse across the world. By the way, this article is merely informational. Do not do anything without talking to physician. Follow all laws!

Is there biological basis for cannabis use in digestive diseases?

Our body has its own indigenous cannabis like chemicals in the nervous system along with binding sites so they may have biological actions. Various biochemical and their binding sites for cannabis/marijuana ingredients are collectively known as the “endocannabinoid system”.

This system is present not just in nervous system but also in our gut as part of the intestine’s own nervous system call enteric nervous system. As such, externally given cannabis or marijuana can affect the gut and potentially have positive benefits.

Although available drugs can effectively reduce vomiting, they frequently do not affect the nausea itself. Cannabis has the advantage of affecting both the nausea and vomiting especially when induced by cancer chemotherapy.

Comparative studies show that medicinal cannabinoids are at least equal or superior to conventional drugs. A meta-analysis done by Dr. Machado Rocha demonstrate that therapeutic cannabis is better than conventional drugs. Not surprisingly, patients preferred cannabis to other medications. However, there is potential for toxicity.

Effect of smoking marijuana on nausea/vomiting has not been well studied. Limited evidence indicates that it is effective. The efficacy of smoked marijuana appears to be equal to or less than medicinal cannabinoids.

Dronabinol is FDA approved for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. However, it should not be used as a first line therapy.

Administration of 115 mg of THC twice a day which is equivalent to smoking marijuana every day heals Crohn’s disease as evident on Crohn’s disease activity index, reduces use of corticosteroid medications and improves sleep and appetite. However the effect is short-lived and not sustained.

On the other hand, limited literature suggests increased risk for surgery among marijuana users.

Role of marijuana inHepatitis C

While smoking marijuana is associated with some progression of disease, it’s use also helps against side-effects induced by hepatitis C therapies. The latter however may not be consequential since the newer hepatitis C treatments are relatively less toxic, there is much less need for strategies to overcome si8de-effects. Given the overall clinical situation, marijuana use should not currently be routinely undertaken in the context of hepatitis C.

Disclaimer: This post is merely for information only and not meant as an endorsement or rejection of such forms of therapies.